Star of the Sea: Lessons on Mary VII

originally found on psalterstudies.wordpress.com

Right now my fiance and I are renewing our consecration to Mary.  One of the prayers involved keeps finding its way into my life, outside of the consecration.  It's an interesting title for Mary, that I don't know that much about, so I thought I'd explore it a little bit today.  The prayer I'm referring to is the Ave Maris Stella...Our Lady, Star of the Sea:

Hail, bright star of ocean,
God's own Mother blest,
ever sinless Virgin,
gate of heavenly rest.

Taking that sweet Ave,
which from Gabriel came,
peace confirm within us,
changing Eva's name.

Break the captives' fetters,
light on blindness pour,
all our ills expelling,
every bliss implore.

Show thyself a Mother,
may the Word Divine
born for us thy Infant
hear our prayers through thine.

Virgin all excelling,
mildest of the mild,
freed from guilt, preserve us.
Pure and undefiled.

Keep our life all spotless,
make our way secure
till we find in Jesus,
joy for evermore.

Through the highest heaven,
to the Almighty Three,
Father, Son, and Spirit,
one same glory be. Amen.

There's a brief history of the hymn here. A history of the title of Mary itself can be found here.  Also, this is one of my current favorite contemporary renditions of the song:

P.S. My mom and I are driving to Philadelphia this weekend for my grad school conference.  Yes, driving.  Perhaps this is a timely post then, for travel.  Our Lady, Star of the Sea, guide our travels and keep my heart focused on you!